Cleaning apparatus



Feb. 17, 1942. B. B ARON 3,

CLEANING APPARATUS Filed March 15, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Aimed .Barow 3 BY W 5- TTORNEY Patented Feb. 17, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLEANING APPARATUS Barnett Baron, New York, N, Y.

Application March 13, 1940, Serial No. 323,777

7 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a cleaning apparatus.

The invention has for an object the construction of a cleaning apparatus characterized by the provision of a housing having a partition located therein for dividing the same into a reservoir chamber for cleaning fluid within the bottom portion thereof, and a cleaning fluid chamber in the top portion thereof and within which a perforated drum is rotatively mounted and arranged in a manner to receive the clothing to be cleaned.

Still further it is proposed to provide a pumping system for pumping the cleaning fluid from the reservoir to the cleaning fluid chamber and arranged to pump the fluid to the cleaning fluid chamber at a greater speed than bypass permits the cleaning fluid to flow back into the reservoir from the cleaning fluid chamber.

Still further it is proposed to characterize the pumping system by a removable strainer between the pump and the cleaning fluid chamber to strain all of the cleaning fluid from the cleaning fluid chamber.

Still further it is proposed to construct the device in such a manner that the drum will rotate at a given speed while the cleaning fluid is being circulated through the device and to stop the circulation of the fluid to permit all of the fluid to drain from the cleaning fluid chamber into the reservoir, and to then step up the rotation of the drum to centrifugally throw as much of the cleaning fluid as possible out of the clothing at the completion of the cleaning process.

Still further it is proposed to arrange an adjustable valve between the cleaning fluid chamber and the reservoir which is adapted to be adjusted as desired for controlling the rate of flow of the cleaning fluid from the cleaning fluid chamber to the reservoir.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accenipanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevational View of Fig. 1 with the cover in the open position.

Fig; 3 is a vertical sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional View on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a perspective View of the cover in the open position.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detailed view of a portion of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view on the line l! of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view on the line 8-8 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detailed View of a portion of Fig. 6.

Fig. 10 is a horizontal sectional view on the line Ill-l0 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged view of the drum.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view on the line l2--l2 of Fi 11.

Fig. 13 is a sectional view on the line l3-l3 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged detailed view looking in the direction of the line |4-l4 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 15 is an enlarged detailed view of a portion of Fig. 4.

Fig. 16 is a horizontal sectional View on the line |6-l6 of Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is a schematic wiring diagram of the device.

The cleaning apparatus, according to this invention, includes a housing I 0 having an open top. This housing I0 is supported by several legs H which rest upon a base 12 which is adapted to be secured to a floor or similar surface. The interior of the housing I0 is subdivided into a bottom reservoir chamber Ill and a top cleaning fluid chamber Ni The division of the interior of the housing I0 is accomplished by means of a partition l3 having a U-shaped cross section and attached to the interior faces of the walls of the housing. The reservoir Ill is adapted to contain a cleaning fluid of the type commonly used for cleaning clothes.

This housing It is further provided with a gauge M for indicating the amount of cleaning fluid in the reservoir Hi This gauge l4 comprises a U-shaped glass tube having the ends of its free arms connected with the interior of the reservoir Ill The intermediate arm of the glass tube I4 extends vertically along the outside face of the housing Ill. Due to the fact that liquid normally seeks its own level, a quantity of the fluid will pass into the tube I4 from within the reservoir l8 and indicate the level of cleaning fluid within the reservoir.

A perforated drum I5 is rotatively mounted within the cleaning fluid chamber lli and is adapted to receive the material or clothing to be cleaned. This drum comprises a circular body portion I5 closed at its ends by means of solid discs Ill The body portion I5 has an open side closed by means of a door I6 which is also perforated throughout. This door I6 is slidably mounted within tracks l'I formed on the inside faces of the discs I5 A novel means is provided for holding the door I6 in its closed position. This means comprises a strip I8 attached to the free edge of the door I6 and is provided with a pair of downwardly extending hooks I9. The adjacent edgeof the drum body I5 is provided with a strip 2!] slidably mounted in bearings 2| fixedly attached to the drum body I5 This strip 20 is provided with a pair of hooks 22 which are adapted to engage the hooks I9 and prevent the door I 6 from being moved to an open position.

A means is provided for resiliently urging the strip 20 into a position in which the hooks 22 will be continuously engaged with the hooks I9. This means comprises a downwardly extending projection 23 mounted upon the strip 26. A spring 24'of the contraction type operates between the strip 20 and one of the bearings 2I for urging the strip 20 into a position in which the hooks 22 will engage the hooks I9. A knob 25 is mounted upon the projection 23 and is adapted to be manually grasped for sliding the strip against the holding action of the spring 24 to disengage the hooks 22 from the hooks I9 and permit the door I 6 to be moved to an open position.

The interior of the drum I5 is further provided on the discs I5 with a pair of diametrically extending tracks 26. A perforated shelf 21 is adapted to be engaged within the tracks 26 by being passed through the opening formed in the drum and provides a member upon which hats or other similar articles not to be crushed are adapted to be mounted to permit them to be conveniently cleaned. This shelf 26 is removable and is adapted to be slid from the interior of the drum I5 when articles of wearing apparel such as suits, dresses and the like are to be cleaned by the apparatus.

One end of the drum I5 is rotatively supported by means of a shaft 28. The other end of the drum I5 is rotatively supported by means of a shaft 29 which extends to the exterior of the housing I9 and carries a large gear 39. A means is provided for rotating the gear 39 to correspondingly rotate the drum I5. This means comprises a motor 3| fixedly mounted on a shelf 32 attached to the end wall of the housing beneath the gear 30. The drive shaft 33 of the motor 3! carries a small gear 34 which meshes with the gear 39. As the motor 3I is operating the drive shaft 33 will be turned and rotations thereof will be transmitted to the drum I5 through the medium of the gears 30 and 34.

A bypass capable of being regulated is arranged between the cleaning fiuid chamber and the reservoir II] for controlling the flow of the cleaning fluid from the chamber If! to the reservoir Ill This bypass comprises a tubular member 35 mounted through the partition I3. This tubular member 35 is provided with an outwardly extending top flange 36 by which it is securely attached to the top face of the partition I3. An element 31 is threadedly engaged into the bottom end of the tubular member 35 and is provided with a conical shaped opening. A conical shaped member 38 engages into the conical shaped opening in the element 31. A stem 39 extends from the conical shaped member 38 through the bottom wall of the housing III. A packing gland 40 is provided on the bottom wall of the housing I0 and engages around the stem 39 for preventing the loss of cleaning fluid therethrough.

A bridging element 4| has its ends attached to the face of the element 3'! and extends across the top face of the conical shaped member 38 and is spaced therefrom. A spring 42 operates between the bridging element 4I and the top face of the conical shaped member 38 for urging the conical shaped member into the conical shaped opening forming in the element 37. The conical shaped member 38 is formed with an opening 43 which is adapted to be aligned with a complementary opening 44 formed in the element 31. These openings 43 and 44 are arranged in an are about the stem 39 as a center. The extended end of the stem 39 is provided with a handle 45 by which the stem 39 may be conveniently turned to align and disalign the openings 43 and 44 to control the flow of the cleaning fluid from the cleaning fluid chamber Ill to the reservoir I0 A cover 46 is provided for closing the open top of the housing It]. This cover 46 has one of its edges pivotally supported by means of a pair of hinges 41. A means is provided for tightly clamping the cover 46 in its closed position.

This means comprises a pair of spaced U- shaped members 49 which have one of their arms pivotally attached to plates 49 securely attached to the front face of the housing II). The free ends of the brackets 48 are adapted to be pivoted to extend across the top edge portion of the cover 46. Each of these free ends is provided with a screw 59 which is adapted to be tightened to bear agains a top face of the cover 46 and to hold the same in a tightly closed position.

A pumping system is provided for drawing the cleaning fluid from the reservoir Ill and discharging the same into the cleaning fluid chamber l More specifically, this pumping system is characterized by a centrifugal pump 5I mounted upon the base I2. A pipe 52 connects with the interior of the reservoir Ill and with the pump 5I for permitting the operation of the pump to draw the cleaning fluid from the reservoir I0 A second pipe 53 connects the pump 5I with the interior of the cleaning fluid chamber II) for discharging the cleaning fluid into the cleaning fluid chamber III The pump 5| is electrically operated and is capable of supplying the cleaning fluid to the cleaning fluid chamber Ill at a speed greater than the bypass is capable of permitting the fluid to pass from the chamber Ii] back into the reservoir Ili The discharge end of the pipe 53 is connected with a strainer mounted upon the bottom face of the cover 46 for straining all of the cleaning fluid before it enters the chamber I9 This strainer is characterized by a flat container 54 mounted on the inside face of the cover 46 and which has an open side 55. A removable strainer is adapted to be engaged into the container 54 through the open side 55. More specifically, this strainer is characterized by a metallic plate 56 extending from the open side of the container 54 to a position adjacent the opposite side thereof.

A piece of cloth 51 is engaged around the plate 56 and is securely held in position by means of bars 58 securely attached to the opposite faces of the metallic plate 56. A second strip of cloth material 58 is engaged around the cloth material 51 and has its free edges securely attached to the outside faces of the bars 58. The bars 58 are provided with openings '60 arranged .in .a manner :to require the cleaning :fluid to pass through the filter strip of cloth material 159 before it may pass into the cleaning fluid chamber IO One of the bars 58 is provided with a handle 6| which is adapted to be grasped for pulling the strainer from within the container 54 for permitting the pieces of cloth material 51 and 59 to be interchanged when they become clogged with dirt strained from the cleaning fluid. A novel means is also provided for connecting the interiorof the container '54 with the discharge end of the -pipe 53. This means comprises a small section of pipe 62 which connects with the interior of the container 54. This pipe 62 is adapted to engage into an enlarged opening 53 formed on the free end of the pipe 53. The cleaning fluid passing up the pipe 53 will enter the pipe I52 and pass into the container 54 through the pieces of filter cloth and 59 and discharge through the openings =60.

The pipe vI52 is also provided with a novel means for closing the end thereof when the cover 46 is moved to an open position to prevent any cleaning fluid remaining therein from dripping therefrom. This means comprises a valve having an element 63 rotati'vely extended into the bottom of the passage .62. This element 63 has a conical shaped opening and a conical shaped member -64 is adapted to engage into the conical shaped opening for closing the same. A bridging element 6:5 is attached to the element 63 and extends across the top face of the conical shaped memberM and is spaced therefrom.

A spring 66 operates between the bridging element 65 and the top face of the conical shaped member for urging the same into a closed position when the cover 46 is in an open position. However, when the pipe 62 is engaged into the end of the pipe 53 a means is provided for urging the conical shaped member 64 into an open position as shown in Fig. 9 to permit the cleaning fluid to pass therethrough. This means comprises a stem 81 extending from the conical shaped member 64 and which is provided with an enlarged head 68. A pin 69 is diametrically across the interior of the pipe 53. When the pipe 62 is engaged into the pipe 53 the head 68 is adapted to strike the pin 69 and urge the conical shaped member 64 into an open position against the holding action of the spring 66.

A novel electrical means is provided for controlling the operation of the pump motor 5| and the drum motor 3|. The electrical connections for this novel operation are shown in Fig. 17 and comprise a pair of leads I9 which are connected with a source of power. One of the leads III is provided with a main time switch H which is adapted to be manually closed for completing the electric circuit.

The electrical connection for the drum motor 3| will first be given. This means comprises a lead I2 extending from the time switch II and which connects with a second time switch I3. This time switch I3 has a pair of spaced contacts 13 and 13 A lead I4 extends from the contact 73 and connects with one pole of the drum motor 3|. This lead I4 carries a minimum rheostat l5. A lead It connects with the other pole of the motor 3| and back to the source of power. A lead 11 connects with the other contact 73 of the time switch I3 and the lead I4. lead 1-! carries a maximum rheostat I8.

The connection of the pump motor 5| is as follows:

A lead I9 connects with the lead 12 between the time switch II and the time switch I3 and is connected with a third time switch having a contact 80. The contact 8|] of the time switch 80 has a lead 8| connected therewith and which is also connected with one pole of the pump motor 5|. A lead 82 connects with the other pole of the pump motor 5| and carries back to the source of power.

When the main time switch II is closed electric current will pass through the time switch 80 and supply current to the electric pump motor 5| for pumping t-hecleaning fluid from the reservoir I 0 to the cleaning fluid chamber Ni Current will also pass through'the lead I2 and the contact I3 of the time switch I3 and through the minimum rheostat 15 to provide a minimum of electric current to the drum motor 3| to turn the drum I5 slowly while the cleaning fluid is being circulated through the cleaning apparatus for cleansing the clothes contained within the drum I5. After the pump motor 5| has been in operation for a given period of time, controlled by the switch til, the switch 80 will open and the pump will no longer circulate the fluid through the cleaning apparatus.

Thedrum I5 will continue to rotate slowly for a given amount of time, permitting all the cleaning fluid within the chamber IO to pass through the bypass and into the reservoir I9 After all the fluid has passed from the cleaning fluid chamber the time switch I3 will switch to cause the current to pass through the contact 13 and maximum rheostat "I8 to step up the rotation of the drum motor 3|. This will cause the drum I5 to rotate at a much greater speed to permit centrifugal force to throw off the cleaning fluid from the clothes within the drum I5. After the drum I5 has rotated at this high speed for a given amount of time, the time switch 'II will automatically open and the cleaning operation will be complete.

The operation of this invention is as follows:

The cover 46 is moved to its open position and the cover I6 of the drum I5 is also opened to permit the clothing to be engaged within the perforated drum I5. The cover I6 is then closed and the cover 46 is also closed. The apparatus is then ready for cleaning clothes. The same is accomplished by manually closing the time switch 'II mounted upon the face of the housing II]. The closing 'of the time switch II will cause the time switches "I3 and '80 to automatically operate to circulate the cleaning fluid through the cleaning apparatus to stop the circulation and step up the rotation of the drum I5 to centrifugally throw oil" the cleaning fluid from the clothing and to stop the rotation of the drum when the cleaning fluid is all thrown therefrom. After the cleaning operation has been completed the cover 46 is again opened and the cover I6 is also opened and the cleaning clothing is removed from the drum I5.

It is to be understood that one or more filter units may be used with the same outlet, in this device, oi" any desired shape.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patents is:

l. A cleaning apparatus, comprising an open top housing, said housing being partitioned to form a reservoir chamber in its bottom portion and a cleaning fluid chamber above said reservoir chamber and in the top portion thereof, a perforated drum rotatively mounted in said cleaning fluid chamber for receiving and holding material to be cleaned, means for rotating said drum, a regulated by-pass to allow cleaning fluid to flow from said cleaning fluid chamber to said reservoir chamber, a cover for said housing, a removable strainer for said cleaning fluid mounted on the bottom face of said cover, and a pumping system for drawing cleaning fluid from said reservoir chamber and discharging it through said strainer into said cleaning fluid chamber.

2. A cleaning apparatus, comprising an open top housing, said housing being partitioned to form a reservoir chamber in its bottom portions and a cleaning fluid chamber above said reservoir chamber and in the top portion thereof, a perforated drum rotatively mounted in said cleaning fluid chamber for receiving and holding material to be cleaned, means for rotating said drum, a regulated by-pass to allow cleaning fluid to flow from said cleaning fluid chamber to said reservoir chamber, a cover for said housing, a removable strainer for said cleaning fluid mounted on the bottom face of said cover, and a pumping system for drawing cleaning fluid from said reservoir chamber and discharging it through said strainer into said cleaning fluid chamber, said by-pass comprising a valve arranged between said cleaning fluid chamber and said reservoir and having a control stem extending to the exterior of said housing.

3. In a cleaning apparatus, an open top housing, a rotatively mounted perforated drum mounted in said housing for receiving and holding material to be cleaned, a cover for closing the open top of said housing, a container mounted on the bottom face of said cover, a strainer for said cleaning fluid mounted within said container, a pumping system for drawing said cleaning fluid from said housing and discharging it through said strainer again into said housing, said pumping system, comprising a pump, a pipe extending between the bottom of said housing and the intake of said pump, a second pipe having one of its ends connected to the discharge side of said pump and its free end projected into said housing and vertically upwards to a position slightly below the bottom wall of said container, a short pipe extending from said container and into the free end of said second pipe causing said cleaning fluid to pass through said container before re-entering said housing, and a valve for closing the open end of said short pipe in the open position of said cover.

4. In a cleaning apparatus, an open top housing, a rotatively mounted perforated drum mounted in said housing for receiving and holding material to be cleaned, a cover for closing the open top of said housing, a container mounted on the bottom face of said cover, a strainer for said cleaning fluid mounted within said container, a pumping system for drawing said cleaning fluid from said housing and discharging it through said strainer again into said housin said pumping system, comprising a pump, a pipe extending between the bottom of said housing and the intake of said pump, a second pipe having one of its ends connected to the discharge side of said pump and its free end projected into said housing and vertically upwards to a position slightly below the bottom wall of said container, a short pipe extending from said container and into the free end of said second pipe causing said cleaning fluid to pass through said container before re-entering said housing, and a valve for closing the open end of said short pipe in the open position of said cover, said valve, comprising an element having a concentric conical shaped opening mounted within the end of said short pipe, a conical shaped member engageable into said conical shaped opening, resilient means urging said conical shaped member into a closed position in the open position of said cover, and means urging said conical shaped member into an open position against the action of said resilient means in the closed position of said cover.

5. In a cleaning apparatus, an open top hous ing, a rotatively mounted perforated drum mounted in said housing for receiving and holding material to be cleaned, a cover for closing the open top of said housing, a container mounted on the bottom face of said cover, a strainer for said cleaning fluid mounted within said container, a pumping system for drawing said cleaning fluid from said housing and discharging it through said strainer again into said housing, said pumping system, comprising a pump, a pipe extending between the bottom of said housing and the intake of said pump, a second pipe having one of its ends connected to the discharge side of said pump and its free end projected into said housing and vertically upwards to a position slightly below the bottom wall of said container, a short pipe extending from said container and into the free end of said second pipe causing said cleaning fluid to pass through said container before re-entering said housing, and a valve for closing the open end of said short pipe in the open position of said cover, said valve, comprising an element having a concentric conical shaped opening mounted within the end of said short pipe, a conical shaped member engageable into said conical shaped opening, resilient means urging said conical shaped member into a closed position in the open position of said cover, and means urging said conical shaped member into an open position against the action of said resilient means in the closed position of said cover, said resilient means, comprising an inverted U-shaped bridging element having the ends of its side arms attached to the top face of said element having said conical shaped opening, said bridging element having its intermediate arm spaced from the top face of said element having said opening, and an expansion spring operating between the adjacent faces of the intermediate arm of said bridging element and said conical shaped member.

6. In a cleaning apparatus, an open top housing, a rotatively mounted perforated drum mounted in said housing for receiving and holding material to be cleaned, a cover for closing the open top of said housing, a container mounted on the bottom face of said cover, a strainer for said cleaning fluid mounted within said container, a pumping system for drawing said cleaning fluid from said housing and discharging it through said strainer again into said housing, said pumping system, comprising a pump, a pipe extending between the bottom of said housing and the intake of said pump, a second pipe having one of its ends connected to the discharge side of said pump and its free end projected into said housing and vertically upwards to a position slightly below the bottom wall of said container, a short pipe extending from said container and into the free end of said second pipe causing said cleaning fluid to pass through said container before re-entering said housing, and a valve for closing the open end of said short pipe in the open position of said cover, said valve, comprising an element having a concentric conical shaped opening mounted within the end of said short pipe, a conical shaped member engageable into said conical shaped opening, resilient means urging said conical shaped member into a closed position in the open position of said cover, and means urging said conical shaped member into an open position against the action of said resilient means in the closed position of said cover, said latter-mentioned means, comprising a vertical stem extending from the bottom face of said conical shaped member, a pin mounted diametrically across the interior of said second pipe at a point spaced from the bottom end of said short pipe when projected into said second pipe, and an enlarged head mounted on the bottom end of said stem and engageable against said pin when said short pipe is extended into said second pipe for opening said valve.

7. In a cleaning apparatus, an open top housing, a rotatively mounted perforated drum mounted in said housing for receiving and holding material to be cleaned, a cover for closing the open top of said housing, a container mounted on the bottom face of said cover, a strainer for said cleaning fluid mounted within said container, a pumping system for drawing said cleaning fluid from said housing and discharging it through said strainer again into said housing, said pumping system, comprising a pump, a pipe extending between the bottom of said housing and the intake of said pump, a second pipe having one of its ends connected to the discharge side of said pump and its free end projected into said housing and vertically upwards to a position slightly below the bottom wall of said container, a short pipe extending from said container and into the free end of said second pipe causing said cleaning fluid to pass through said container before re-entering said housing, and a valve for closing the open end of said short pipe in the open position of said cover, said second pipe having its free end enlarged permitting said short pipe to be engaged therein.

BARNETT BARON. 

